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Topic questions Space physics The Hertzsprung-Russell diagram

The Hertzsprung-Russell diagram

7 questions · 45 marks · about 50 minutes

The Hertzsprung-Russell diagram questions

Edexcel 4PH1 The Hertzsprung-Russell diagram 7 questions

Physics Paper 2 November 2024, Question 4 11 marks

Also involves Astronomical distances

Diagram 1 shows a Hertzsprung–Russell (HR) diagram.

Figure for question 4
(a)
(a)(i)

Draw a cross to show the position of the Sun on the HR diagram.

[1]
(a)(ii)

In approximately 4 billion years, the Sun will enter the next stage of its evolution.

Draw a circle on the HR diagram around the area that will include the Sun in the next stage of its evolution.

[1]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 4(a)(ii)
(b)

Describe the stars that are in the top left corner of the HR diagram.

[2]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 4(b)
(c)

Diagram 2 shows how the brightness of two stars, star A and star B, changes with time.

These stars are called Cepheid variables.

Figure for question 4
(c)(i)

Determine the period of the variation in brightness for these stars.

[2]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 4(c)(i)
(c)(ii)

Calculate the frequency of the variation in brightness for these stars.

[2]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 4(c)(ii)
(c)(iii)

State what is meant by the term absolute magnitude.

[1]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 4(c)(iii)
(c)(iv)

Star A and star B have the same absolute magnitude but star A is always brighter than star B in the night sky.

Explain how this is possible.

[2]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 4(c)(iv)

Physics Paper 2 June 2024 (R), Question 1 5 marks

This question is about stars.

The diagram shows an incomplete Hertzsprung-Russell (H-R) diagram.

Figure for question 1
(a)

Label the axes on the diagram.

[2]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 1(a)
(b)

There are three shaded areas on the diagram.

State the name of the shaded area that contains the Sun.

[1]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 1(b)
(c)

Which star is a white dwarf?

Question 1, shown as an image
[1]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 1(c)
(d)

At a standard distance from the Earth, which star is brighter than the Sun and has a greater surface temperature than the Sun?

Question 1, shown as an image
[1]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 1(d)

Physics Paper 2 June 2024, Question 1 5 marks

The Hertzsprung-Russell (HR) diagram shown can be used to classify stars.

Figure for question 1
(a)

Three regions in the HR diagram are labelled P, Q and R.

The boxes show the three regions and different astronomical objects.

Draw a straight line from each region to the type of astronomical object contained in that region.

Figure for question 1
[3]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 1(a)
(b)

Define the term absolute magnitude.

[2]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 1(b)

Physics Paper 2 January 2023 (R), Question 1 6 marks

The diagram is an incomplete Hertzsprung‑Russell diagram which astronomers use to compare stars.

Figure for question 1
(a)

The y ‑axis label is missing.

Which of these is the correct label for the y ‑axis?

Question 1, shown as an image
[1]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 1(a)
(b)

The box contains words to identify the shaded areas P, Q and R on the Hertzsprung‑Russell diagram.

Figure for question 1

Use words from the box to identify P, Q and R.

[3]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 1(b)
(c)

Explain which side of the diagram contains stars with the highest surface temperature.

[2]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 1(c)

Physics Paper 2 June 2022 (R), Question 1 6 marks

The Hertzsprung–Russell diagram shows stars classified into different regions.

Figure for question 1
(a)

The boxes give four points, A, B, C and D, and four star classifications.

Draw lines connecting each point to the correct star classification.

Figure for question 1
Question 1, shown as an image
[4]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 1(a)
(b)

Describe what is meant by the term absolute magnitude.

[2]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 1(b)

Physics Paper 2 January 2021, Question 6 5 marks

The Hertzsprung‑Russell diagram shows the relationship between the absolute magnitude and colour of stars.

Figure for question 6

The position of the Sun is shown on the Hertzsprung‑Russell diagram.

(a)

Star W is a white dwarf.

Add a W to the Hertzsprung‑Russell diagram to show the position of star W.

[1]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 6(a)
(b)

Star X is a red giant.

Add an X to the Hertzsprung‑Russell diagram to show the position of star X.

[1]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 6(b)
(c)

Star Y is a main sequence star that is much larger than the Sun.

Add a Y to the Hertzsprung‑Russell diagram to show the position of star Y.

[1]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 6(c)
(d)

Star Z has the same surface temperature as the Sun, but would be dimmer than the Sun if it were the same distance away from Earth as the Sun.

Add a Z to the Hertzsprung‑Russell diagram to show the position of star Z.

[1]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 6(d)
(e)

The Moon is the brightest object in the night sky.

Suggest why the Moon cannot be shown on the Hertzsprung‑Russell diagram.

[1]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 6(e)

Physics Paper 2 January 2020, Question 6 7 marks

This question is about stars.

(a)

Astronomers measure the absolute magnitude of stars.

State what is meant by the term absolute magnitude.

[2]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 6(a)
(b)

The evolution of stars can be shown on a Hertzsprung‑Russell diagram (HR diagram).

Complete the HR diagram by

ā— labelling the x‑axis

ā— completing the absolute magnitude scale

ā— drawing the main sequence, red giant and white dwarf regions

Figure for question 6
[5]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 6(b)

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